Army Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr.

Died April 10, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of St. Louis, Mo.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 10 in Mosul, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by a suicide bomber. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Gary L. Woods Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Bryan E. Hall, Cpl. Jason G. Pautsch and Pfc. Bryce E. Gautier.

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Soldier showed dedication to his ‘brothers’

The Associated Press

Edward W. Forrest Jr.’s sister asked him not to re-enlist and go to war for the third time.

“I told him I didn’t want him to be a hero. I just wanted him to be my brother,” said Melissa Forrest-Pliner. “But he said he owed it to his brothers — that’s what he called the soldiers in his unit — to go back and help them finish up the job.”

Forrest, 25, of St. Louis died April 10 when his vehicle was struck by an explosive in Mosul. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Carson.

In high school, Forrest, known as “Eddie,” was a long-distance runner and was also on the wrestling team.

“He was a very enthusiastic member of the track and field program,” said his former coach, Rolland Garrison. “He was a very good kid with a great smile.”

Forrest and his wife, Stephanie, were living in Colorado Springs with their 3-year-old son, Bradan, and a newborn son, Jameson.

“Edward was home last month to witness the birth of their youngest,” said his father-in-law, Ron Foster. “Edward returned to Iraq for his third tour of duty right after the birth.”